One of the unabashed streams flowing out of the Wasatch Range in the Salt Lake Valley is Millcreek. This is a stream that does not get fished as often as the streams to the South, especially Big Cottonwood Creek. However, this actually allows Mill Creek to be a gem among the Wasatch Front Rivers.

Getting to Millcreek is fairly simple. From Salt Lake City get one I-80 Eastbound towards Cheyenne. Take exit 128 for I-215 Southbound. After driving for about 1.5 miles you will take Exit 4 and turn East. At the light on Wasatch Blvd you will turn North and drive .1 miles to Millcreek Canyon Road. Follow this road until you reach the forest.

Millcreek follows along the majority of the road, which makes for easy access. One of the biggest problems with this canyon, however, is all of the "private" property that stretches along the stream in the lower stretches of the river. Between Scout camps, restaurants, and picnic sites, the lower stretch is difficult to access. The best fishing is going to be above the summer gate, which is open from July 1st to November 1st. Also, the Canyon is managed by the forest service and requires a $3 access fee which is paid when leaving the Canyon. Be aware that the interagency pass offered from the National Park Service is not accepted in the Canyon. While these seem to be a lot of negatives all up front, it actually means that the fishing can be hot as the pressure on them is fairly light, compared to other rivers in these mountains.

Millcreek is a wonderful stream to practice your small stream fishing on. It is a small freestone creek that has ample tree coverage, but not so thick as to make you frustrated that you chose this river to fish. This is a great stream to try out our Small Water Secrets. Don't be surprised if you fish a few holes and then have to get out of the stream and walk up the road for fifty feet.

As was mentioned earlier, the best fishing is going to take place above the Winter gate. One of the reasons for this is because of the Millcreek Restoration Project that was a joint venture between the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Trout Unlimited. Over the course of three years, the river was poisoned and then native Bonneville Cutthroat Trout were reintroduced into the stream. This project began at the top of the stream, and fish were reintroduced in this stretch a couple of years prior to being reintroduced in the bottom stretches. Millcreek is now managed solely for native Bonneville Cutthroats, finally home in one of their native streams.

For Millcreek, you are going to want a small weight fly rod. A 2 or 3 weight is great for this stream. 7'6" is probably going to be the longest rod that you will want to take. There is not a lot of room to cast and you are going to do more of a "flick" cast than a traditional cast. Our go to for this river is a 6' 2 wt, and we have a blast with this fly rod on this river.

As the West Fork is managed for Cutthroat Trout, check the regulations to determine when the stream opens for fishing. As of right now there are no regulations, but that could change. With the upper portions of the stream being closed, essentially, for most of the time that other Cutthroat streams are, we would be surprised if there were any special regulations put on Millcreek.

​Unless there is a spectacular hatch happening, the fish on this stream are not going to be very picky. We will usually start the morning with a hopper-dropper style rig, usually with a large stimulator on top and a hotwire prince nymph about 18" below that. On the surface, any caddis or mayfly pattern will usually entice a strike, below, the surface, stick with hotwire prince, hare's ear, and gunslinger patterns. On nymphs, use a tungsten bead-head to get the flies down quickly without adding extra weight. Most of the pockets on this stream are so small that extra weight is almost useless, by the time the weight does it's job you are out of the pocket.

Millceek is a wonderful stream to practice your small water tactics. It is a beautiful stream that has a long history in the Salt Lake valley, supporting many industries for the early pioneers that called the valley home. Take a moment to get away from the bustle of the city, with only a turn or two up the road you will forget that you are only a minute away from civilization.

The Uinta Mountains are the cradle of many water systems, one of those being the Duchesne River. From its headwaters high in the mountains the Duchesne keeps many fishermen happy. One section of the river is the West Fork which runs from the head of Lake Creek in the Uinta Mountains. This section runs through a beautiful canyon carved through a harsh environment just begging to be fished.

Getting to the West Fork can be a beautiful drive through the mountains, or an awe inspiring one through desert and red-rock territory. From Heber City, head North on Highway 40 to the intersection of it and River Road/SR 32. At the intersection turn right and head towards Kamas. After about 10 miles you'll come to a tall hill, just up a little will be a turn off to the right, Lower River Road. Take Lower River Road and drive over Wolf Creek Pass for 25 miles and the road that follows along the West Fork will be on the right. From Duchesne, drive North on Center Street for 6 miles, turn onto SR 35 and drive for 35 miles, the road for the West Fork will be on the left. You can also access the West Fork from Heber City by going over Lake Creek and various Forest Service Roads. These roads also interconnect many Uinta fisheries, including Currant Creek, Rock Creek, Little Strawberry River, and others.

The West Fork follows along the majority of the road, with the exception of a few places. Along the lower stretches of the river you may run into private property. Be mindful of property rights, respect all posted land, and the majority of property owners allow access as long as you clean up after yourself. On the forest, don't be surprised to run into cattle out on the range. The vast majority of the stream can be accessed easily from the road, other places may be a steep embankment and then a short climb through a maze of willows.

The West Fork of the Duchesne is beautiful in its calming, babbling nature. Don't take this to suggest that the Wet Fork is a meandering, meadow creek. It is a freestone river that has fast moving water and large pools that you can get lost in. The West Fork is a water system that is little changed from when the first humans saw her. Even though it travels through private lands and range cattle are a common occurrence, the West Fork has a virgin beauty to it that at times is unknown on other rivers. This river is very much similar to her sister, the North Fork.

The river is impounded about 8 miles from the turn-off from the main road that leads to Wolf Creek Pass. Above the impoundment, fishing can be spotty, look for areas where the fish can hide easily. Below the impoundment, there is a healthy population of big fish with an appetite. The best fishing is going to be below the impoundment but there will be less competition to find a place on the river above it. We have had success in both areas. The Forest Service and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is also actively eliminating beavers and their ponds from the river system. Fishing tends to be better where the river had not been dammed, look for where the bank tends to be lined with vegetation instead of the desolation left in the wake of the beaver dams.

For the West Fork, there are multiple configurations of equipment that will work for you. From a 7'6" 3 wt to a 9' 5 wt, there is plenty of room for you to move. We would suggest that a 3 wt be your minimum weight and a 5 wt your maximum. You should be able to make 15 to 30 foot casts comfortably with your rod. We will generally fish with an 8'5" 2 wt that we inherited and sometimes have that rod bent completely in half with some of the fish on this river. Fish in the river generally range from 12-14", but there are some in there of monstrous proportions, finding some in the range of 18-20" is not uncommon. Cutthroat Trout are the predominant fish that you will find in the river, specifically Colorado River Cutthroats. Brown Trout are said to reside in the river but we have never caught any in there.

As the West Fork is managed for Cutthroat Trout, check the regulations to determine when the stream opens for fishing, usually the second Saturday of July (once again, check the regulations for the most up-to-date information). Fishing immediately after the river has opened can lead to days that few ever get to see. The fish are hungry and willing to take even the worst presentation fly, as long as it looks good.

As soon as the river opens, large stimulators and hopper patterns will entice strikes on the surface. Later in the season, try to match the hatches that occur infrequently, generic caddis and mayfly patterns always bring success. Below the surface, brassies, hotwire prince, hare's ear, and gunslinger patterns are successful throughout the fishing season. On nymphs, use a tungsten bead-head to get the flies down quickly without adding extra weight. As with most small streams, start out with a hopper-dropper rig until you start to get a bite and can determine where and on what the fish are biting on.

​The West Fork is a great combination of high mountain pocket waters and tailwater from the impoundment. Try to match your approach and presentation to this type of fishing. Approach the water as you would if you were approaching a small mountain stream, hitting every single pocket before you move upstream. Don't be scared to just through your fly down the middle of a riffle either, hungry fish will strike. Your presentation needs to be similar to that of a tailwater. Find out what aquatic life you can match from your fly box. The fish are looking for something familiar, especially in the lower stretches. Standard mayfly, caddis, and stonefly patterns work great. Also terrestrials on the surface seem to encourage a strike.

The West Fork of the Duchesne River is a beautiful South Slope river that is slowly becoming a more popular river as people tire of the crowds on their favorite streams that are closer to civilization. Take the time to hit the West Fork before you need to find a new lonely river to call home.

Another high mountain lake in the Uinta Mountains, Fehr Lake is one of the headwater lakes of the Duchesne River watershed. Even though the hike to the lake is itself less than strenuous, and is a wonderful hike to take the family on, it is one that lets you know just how rugged the Uinta Mountains can be and though you're less than a mile off of the highway-you would imagine that you had hiked for miles and miles into the wilderness.
​To get to Fehr Lake, travel North from Heber City on Highway 40 until you reach the intersection with Highway 32, roughly 4 miles North of town. Stay on Highway 32 around Jordanelle and into the town of Francis until you get to the first stop sign, about 11 miles, and turn left to stay on Highway 32. After 2 miles you will be in the town of Kamas and will turn right on Highway 150, The Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, and stay on Highway 150 for a little over 30 miles. You will go over Bald Mountain Pass and head down the Northern Slope, just about 1.5 miles from the pass you'll see a small pull-out on the right side of the road. This is the trailhead, don’t blink or you’ll miss it. The trail usually opens up about early to mid June and stays open through September, and maybe into October. Be prepared though, the weather changes in the Uintas at the tip of hat, and while it's rare, it has snowed even in July, August, and September.

From the Fehr Lake Trailhead you will hike for a little less than .5 miles. The trail itself is fairly well defined, and has a few boardwalks in place to traverse some of the more soggy areas that the trail encounters. The hike in is mostly downhill, except right at the very beginning. Remember, what you climb down you will have to climb up. Don't worry however, the elevation lost is just over 100 feet. Like we said, this is a hike that the whole family should enjoy. You could even portage a canoe if you were feeling extra ambitious. For a map of the trail click the map to the left.

The landscape along this hike and around the lake itself is high mountain. You are still below the timberline, so you will be hiking through towering pines, thankfully they have not been decimated by Pine Beetles, yet. It is big country and don't hesitate to stop and take in every view that this country offers you. Be prepared with whatever hiking essentials you feel necessary to take with you. Sunscreen, bug repellant, emergency kit, water, etc. Even though you are less than a half a mile in from the highway, a lot can happen in the half a mile. Always be prepared when you are in the backcountry.

​Fehr Lake is about 6 acres and has a maximum depth of 29 feet. The depth and amount of water makes it a great lake to either use a canoe or float tube on, if you are willing to hike them in. The North and West shores of plenty of room to get a great backcast, the South and East shores have more timber around it, requiring a more delicate cast. We hiked in with our 7'6" 3 wt rod however, a 9' 5 wt would have increased our ability to get further out into the lake. We wouldn't recommend anything over a 5 wt rod, but the size of fish in this lake make a 3 wt seem a little too small and a 5 wt just a little too big.

Fehr Lake is a natural, glacier carved lake that is relatively untouched by human effort. It has not been impounded like many of the other lakes within the Uintas, and the water level is completely dictated by in and outlet flows. It has a wild population of Brook Trout that is maintaining itself without stocking from the Utah DWR. In fact, we looked at the stocking reports from 2002 to present and Fehr Lake was never stocked during that time. That wild population is beautiful as well, they are big and strong, a real fight that ends with one of the beauties of the Trout family.Aquatic insects do exist in these waters, even though their hatch cycles are more sporadic than lower elevation lakes and rivers. During the morning and evening, throwing a caddis pattern out will almost always work. During the heat of the day the fish are still looking up though, terrestrials such as ants and small hoppers are great. As the weather cools down, fishing below the surface with a leech pattern or chironomid should work.
​Remember that you are in the wilderness on this trip. You are in Mother Nature's home and she makes the rules. Expect to see wildlife and prepare accordingly, this is bear and moose country. Take a first aid kit with you just in case something happens, even though you will only be a half mile from your car. Even a survival kit may not hurt. It is beautiful country that is unfortunately touched by man, help out and take a grocery sack and pack out some of the trash that some people choose not to. As always, Good Luck and Guid Luck!

From the North Slope of the Uinta Mountains flows the Bear River which winds it way from the Uintas of Utah into Wyoming through Idaho and back into Utah, finally ending at the Great Salt Lake. The Bear River is the largest tributary to the Great Salt Lake and the largest river in the North America that does not flow to the sea. This large river, though, is made up of many, many smaller tributaries. It is formed by the confluence of the Hayden and Stillwater Forks. The Stillwater Fork is a beautiful example of a high mountain freestone.The Stillwater Fork flows from the High Uinta Wilderness before forming the Bear River. Most of its lower stretches are easily accessed from the road However, to get to the best fishing, and a little more solgy70itude, getting into the backcountry is going to be your best bet.

To get to the Stillwater Fork, travel East on Highway 150 from Kamas City, Utah for about 46 miles. Enjoy the ride along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, Highway 150, its beautiful and gives you amazing access to many places to fish. After 45 miles you will see a sign for the Stillwater Fork Campground. This campground will take you to the confluence of the Stillwater and Hayden Forks, the beginning of the Bear River. If you continue on Highway 150 for another mile or so you’ll come to the road for the Christmas Meadows Campground and Trailhead. This long road follows along the Stillwater Fork and ends at the Christmas Meadows Trailhead. The trail follows close the river as well, giving you many places to get to the river. If you are coming from Evanston, Wyoming, head South on Highway 150 for about 32 miles which will bring you to the road for Christmas Meadows. Another mile or so on Highway 150 will take you to the Stillwater Fork Campground.We can't speak for the Stillwater Fork Campground but if you plan on camping near the Stillwater Fork we would recommend the Christmas Meadows Campground. The layout of the campground gives enough room for every site that you don't feel crowded. Amid towering pines and the river not more than 100 yards away, we couldn’t recommend it more.

The Stillwater Fork is a beautiful river. Much of its lower stretches, before forming the Bear River, the Stillwater Fork runs very much like a spring creek even though it runs from the mountain tops. There is a reason that this fork is known as the Stillwater, it meanders and runs smooth. The further upstream that you travel the more like a mountain freestone it becomes but it never becomes a truly rugged river like many of her Uinta cousins.Our standard rod for the Stillwater is our 7'6" 3 wt but a 9' 5 wt would be just as welcome on this river. There are plenty of opportunities to really get the line out and cast, something that a 5 wt is going to be better at than the 3 wt. The fish, however, are built more for your 3 wt rod. That's not to say that there are not monsters in the Stillwater that have migrated up from the Bear and have claimed a territory for themselves on this smaller river.The further upstream that you travel the less frequently you will run into competition on the river. The stream itself doesn't receive a lot of pressure, but you would be amazed how trampled the path along the river is close to the campgrounds. Rainbows and Brook trout are the game fish that you will most likely hook into while fishing the river, but there is a population of Bonneville Cutthroat and if you catch one of these beauties take some time and admire Utah’s State Fish.

The fishing here, especially in the lower stretches, is more reminiscent of the bigger rivers of Utah, the Weber and Provo, rather than small mountain freestones. Standard mayfly, caddis, stonefly, and midge patterns work well throughout the course of the year. During the late summer and fall you will want to try ants, hoppers and beetles. More than anything though, if nothing is happening on the surface you will want to tie on a nymph and fish below the surface. Unlike other mountain streams, it is difficult to coax the fish up to a dry fly if a hatch is not occurring.While fishing, be prepared, and a bit cautious, you never know what you might run into. Moose call the Stillwater home and for being as large as they are, are more than capable of hiding in the willows until you stumble upon them. The largest Bull Moose that we've ever stumbled upon was in the willows between the Christmas Meadows Campground and the river and made us more than cautious on that fishing trip. Remember, the further in the backcountry that you travel the more secluded you are. Bear, Mountain Lions, snakes, etc call those mountain home. Be prepared and enjoy the seclusion that comes with the wilderness.

The Stillwater Fork, headwaters to the Bear River, claims a beautiful mountain range home. Take some time and encourage yourself to become a little more like this river, steady and still in the shadows of impressive odds. As always, Good Luck and Guid Luck!

The Provo River is one of the most iconic fly fishing rivers in the state of Utah. The vast majority of fly jockeys hit the lower or middle stretches of the river, leaving the upper stretches to those of us who love small waters. While we enjoy fishing the lower and middle stretches, real fly fishing magic takes place on the upper stretches.The Upper Provo River flows from the high mountain streams of the Uinta Mountains to Jordanelle Reservoir in the Wasatch Mountains. This mountain freestone is a wonderful place to get away from the fly jockeys that want to hit the Middle or Lower stretches of the Provo and get back to the root of Fly-Fishing small streams.Getting to the Upper Provo itself is fairly simple. From Heber City head North on Highway 40 to the light on River Road/SR 32 and turn East towards Kamas. Follow SR 32 for about 8 miles. SR 32 wraps around Jordanelle Reservoir and crosses the Upper Provo River near its inlet with the Reservoir. Here is the lowest point of the Upper Provo. From here until you get into the National Forest the River passes in and out of Private Property. From SR 32 the river follows along the Lower River Road that cuts off right before getting to Oakley. The river then cuts through the hills and mountains and meets up with Highway 150 from Kamas, the Mirror Lake Highway, and follows close to that highway to its headwaters.

The flow of the river is that of a mountain stream, completely dependent upon the snowpack and rain to fill its bed. As the river flows downstream from its headwaters to Jordanelle, it gets larger and begins to resemble its little brothers downstream. The upper stretches though are reminiscent of the many small streams that flow from the Uintas. This section of the Provo does not get fished a lot, either because of the private property in the lower stretches, or because of the smaller fish and numbers that are characteristic of its upper stretches, either way, it's hard to find another fisherman on the river.At the inlet into Jordanelle, at Rock Cliff State Park, the fishing can be great, especially in the time right before spawns. But the fishing around that area is short-lived due to the river very quickly entering private property. If you can get permission to fish through that property you should be in for a treat, bigger fish with very, very little pressure. Once you get on the Mirror Lake Highway and enter the National Forest, you can fish any stretch of the river that you want to or are brave enough to hike down to, in places. The Upper Provo cut its way through a rugged mountain range, it’s difficult to forget this while hiking down to the river.Most places along this river will allow for distance to cast and the ability to stay back and hidden from the fish, which comes in very handy when the water turns crystal clear! For the lower stretches a 9' 5 wt is a great rod, it gives you the power to push the fly across the river and if you're lucky to get into a fish big enough, the rod will handle it without a problem. The upper stretches, any 3 wt rod is key. The fish in the river get smaller the higher up you go, the smaller weight rod will be perfect for those battles.

Depending on what stretch you decide to fish really determines the fish that you will catch. In the lower stretches you’ll find browns, rainbows, and cutthroats. In the upper sections you will run into brookies. Don’t be surprised though if you luck into a grayling. While rare it has been known to happen...they are able to swim down from the lakes they have been planted into and a few make the river their home.The fish in the lower stretches are more difficult to catch than the fish in the upper stretches. Hatches become a little more consistent and larger the further down the river you go. Standard midge, mayfly, and caddis patterns work well, as well as stoneflies. In the upper stretches, terrestrials are beautiful and will encourage even the wiliest of fish to rise. Fish in the upper stretches are opportunistic and will readily take most things that are offered.While fishing, be prepared, and a bit cautious, you never know what you might run into. Moose call the Uinta Mountains home and for being as large as they are, are more than capable of hiding in the willows until you stumble upon them. Bear also claim the mountains as home, be prepared! The wildlife and scenery of this section of the Provo River make up for anything the other sections have that this one does not.While not as well known as the Middle and Lower Sections, the Upper Provo is a gem in her own right. Widely overlooked by the fly-fishing community, it's one of our favorite rivers to take new fishermen to. It offers space to cast and fish that are more than forgiving. As always, Good Luck and Guid Luck!

One of the most alluring fishing destinations in Utah is the numerous lakes and streams of the Uinta Mountains. Many of the rivers that we have already highlighted here at Currant Creek Fly Company are found in the Uintas or their headwaters are. The mountains are home to many waters and many fish. One of these lakes, and the first in our series of stillwaters is Marjorie Lake.Marjorie Lake is found in the Provo River watershed. And is one of the many lakes that make up the headwaters of this prolific Western river. It takes a little bit of time hiking to this high mountain lake, but the payoff is well worth it. And the hike itself is not at all strenuous and we would not hesitate to take our four year old on this hike.

To get to Marjorie Lake, travel North from Heber City on Highway 40 until you reach the intersection with Highway 32, roughly 4 miles North of town. Stay on Highway 32 around Jordanelle and into the town of Francis until you get to the first stop sign, about 11 miles, and turn left to stay on Highway 32. After 2 miles you will be in the town of Kamas and will turn right on Highway 150, The Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, and stay on Highway 150 for 25 miles. You will be looking for the Crystal Lake Trailhead, which is on Forest Road 041. Follow the signs to the Trailhead, passing Washington Lake Campground and into the parking lot. The trial usually opens up about early to mid June and stays open through September, and maybe into October.

From the Crystal Lake Trailhead you will hike for a little over 3 miles. Make sure you take the Lakes Country Trail from the parking lot, there is a sign at the beginning of the trail designating it as such. After about a 1.5 miles in, the trail will for next to a small pond. Make sure that you take the left fork. There is an iron signpost at this intersection, follow the signs towards Marjorie Lake. Stay on this trail for another 1.5 miles and you'll come upon Marjorie Lake. The hike from trailhead to the lake took us about 1.25 hours, and we are definitely not in the best of shape. For a map of the trail, click the map to the left.

The landscape along this hike and around the lake itself is high mountain. You are still below the timberline, so you will be hiking through towering pines, thankfully they have not been deciminated by Pine Beetles, yet. It is big country and don't hesitate to stop and take in every view that this country offers you. Remember to take plenty of water!! Also, sunscreen and bug repellant won't hurt. At the lake itself we didn’t have any trouble with mosquitoes but along the way, whenever the trail would get close to the many ponds you have to hike near we would be covered in them--fair warning. The majority of the shoreline around the lake is clear of trees, at least enough to cast out to get to the fish. There were only two places around the entire lake that we had to be more mindful than usual of our backcast. We took our standard 7'6" 3 wt to Marjorie Lake. The majority of fish in the lake made this rod the perfect rod to have out there. A 9' 5 wt would have increased our fishing distance on the lake but would have overpowered many of the fish that you would catch. It’s a tradeoff that each individual fisherman must make. We would not recommend taking anything over a 5 wt out. Remember, also, that you will be hiking about 6.5 miles, round trip, and will be carrying that rod with you-what rod are you comfortable hiking with, and how many pieces it breaks down into.

Marjorie Lake is a natural, glacier carved lake, and like many of her sister lakes in the Uintas, was impounded to increase water retention and serve as one more reservoir for the state of Utah. Since the construction of Jordanelle Reservoir, though, many of these lakes are no longer maintained as reservoirs and are allowed to flow as naturally as possible. The lake itself was last stocked with fish by the Utah DWR in the 1950's and now maintains itself with natural reproduction--which we find really, really cool. We love stories of life maintaining itself and fighting against the odds. The beauty of this lake is that it was stocked with Arctic Grayling, as well as Brook Trout.Aquatic insects do exist in these waters, even though their hatch cycles are more sporadic than lower elevation lakes and rivers. We saw Stoneflies and Brown Drakes while fishing this water. During the morning and evening, throwing a caddis pattern out will almost always work. During the heat of the day the fish are still looking up though, terrestrials such as ants and small hoppers are great. As the weather cools down, fishing below the surface with a leech pattern or chironomid should work.Remember that you are in the wilderness on this trip. You are in Mother Nature's home and she makes the rules. Expect to see wildlife and prepare accordingly, this is bear and moose country. Take a first aid kit with you just in case something happens, you will be three miles from your car, even a survival kit may not hurt. It is beautiful country that is unfortunately touched by man, help out and take a grocery sack and pack out some of the trash that some people choose not to. As always, Good Luck and Guid Luck!

Just South of Big Cottonwood Canyon is her little sister, Little Cottonwood Canyon. Just like her bigger sister, the canyon was quickly utilized by the pioneers and the granite deposits were used in building many of the permanent structures in the Salt Lake Valley, such as the LDS Salt Lake Temple. Still, the canyon is a favorite destination for people looking to get out of the city and back to their primordial roots. Some choose to do a little fly fishing there.Little Cottonwood Canyon is a more rugged canyon than her bigger sister. The drop in elevation is steeper than in Big Cottonwood Canyon and the creek itself flows fast and hard. Flowing over large granite boulders, fishing this creek is a juggling act of rock crawling and fly fishing. Getting to Little Cottonwood Canyon is fairly simple, follow the signs for the ski resorts. You'll want to take I-215 towards the East Bench, or South if you're already on the East Bench. Take the 6100 South Exit, #6, and head South, make sure that you don’t take the right-most turn lane as that is a forced turn that takes you through the business district of Cottonwood Heights, but you can still get to the Little Cottonwood Canyon from there (just follow the signs for the ski resorts). After about 4 miles you'll come to a fork in the road, take the fork to the left and you'll be in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

The creek follows pretty close to the road in most places, but actually getting to the creek may prove difficult. Due to the extreme climb in elevation that occurs, the canyon is steep in places. There is a trail that follows more closely to the creek than the road, the trailhead starts at the bottom of the canyon. Once at the creek, be prepared for some rock crawling. There are places that you'll wonder how to get passed the small waterfalls or the large granite boulders. Little Cottonwood Creek is also part of the Salt Lake Valley Watershed, pack your waders or face a fine if you’re in the water without them. Little Cottonwood Canyon is beautiful in its domineering strength. Lined with cottonwoods, pines, willows and granite protrusions, it's a creek that needs to be respected. Little Cottonwood Creek has been known to take the life of careless recreational enthusiast. It cannot be emphasized enough that some of the stretches of the creek should be approached with extreme caution. This pristine example, though, of nature still reigning dominant over man is one reason this canyon is so popular with the teeming urbanites.Along the creek there are numerous obstacles to overcome depending on where you choose to fish. In most stretches of the creek you'll run into vegetation that makes it more than difficult to back cast and overhanging tree limbs make you wish you wouldn't have tried to set the hook on the rock that grabbed your nymph. In other stretches it is narrow corridors of rock walls that make casting difficult.

For Little Cottonwood Creek we suggest taking a 7'6" 3 wt as your standard rod. Nothing longer because of the limited space that’s available for casting. There will be times, rare though they may be, that you will wish that you brought your 5 wt. Due to the rugged nature of the creek the fish may become monsters relative to their actual size. Though your average catch will likely be no more than 12" they will fight like they’re over 16". Brook and Rainbow Trout call the creek home. It is the only "reliable" stream in the Salt Lake Valley with Brook Trout, while other streams are said to have Brookies, it’s in Little Cottonwood that you'll actually find them. Be prepared for fast takes and rugged runs from the majority of the fish, this is pocketwater fishing at its finest. Little Cottonwood Canyon, as pristine as it appears, harbors a dark secret that has yet to be resolved. Like it's neighboring canyons, and others just like it across the nation and world, Little Cottonwood Canyon was mined for the rare ore that was found there. The water still runs polluted from the mine tailings and the creek is considered a put and take fishery for the State DWR. We would never suggest keeping any fish from this water! There are very fish in the water and catching them can be difficult. While we've caught fish on most every trip we've taken to this canyon, we've never met our self imposed "Rule of Three."In the pocketwater it's more about presentation and making sure everything looks right and less about which fly you choose. Standard midge, mayfly, and caddis patterns work well, with the occasional stonefly. In the summer and fall try some terrestrials. Our most productive setup has been a hopper-dropper with a standard, generic nymph about 18" from the hopper.No more than thirty minutes from anywhere in the Salt Lake Valley, Little Cottonwood Creek is a welcomed reprieve from the bustle of the city. Even though the canyon itself is heavily used, you are more than likely the only fisherman that you’ll see. As always, Good Luck and Guid Luck!!

The Uinta Mountains are the cradle of many water systems, one of those being the Duchesne River. From its headwaters high in the mountains the Duchesne keeps many fishermen happy. One section of the river is the North Fork which runs from the Granddaddy Basin and Mirror Lake in the High Uintas. This section runs through a beautiful canyon carved through a harsh environment just begging to be fished.Getting to the North Fork can be a beautiful drive through the mountains, or an awe inspiring one through desert and red-rock territory. From Heber City, head North on Highway 40 to the intersection of it and River Road/SR 32. At the intersection turn right and head towards Kamas. After about 10 miles you'll come to a tall hill, just up a little will be a turn off to the right, Lower River Road. Take Lower River Road and drive over Wolf Creek Pass for 29 miles and the road that follows along the North Fork will be on the left. From Duchesne, drive North on Center Street for 6 miles, turn onto SR 35 and drive for 30 miles, the road for the North Fork will be on the right.The North Fork follows along the majority of the road, with the exception of a few places. Along the lower stretches of the river you may run into private property, even in certain areas within the forest. Be mindful of property rights, respect all posted land, and the majority of property owners allow access as long as you clean up after yourself. On the forest, don't be surprised to run into cattle out on the range. The vast majority of the stream can be accessed easily from the road, other places may be a steep embankment and then a short walk across a flooded meadow.

The North Fork of the Duchesne is beautiful in its calming, babbling nature. Don't take this to suggest that the North Fork is a meandering, meadow creek. It is a freestone river that has fast moving water and large pools that you can get lost in. However, rugged and dangerous are not adjectives that should be used to describe her, even though she can be at times. The North Fork is a water system that is little changed from when the first humans saw her. Even though it travels through private lands and range cattle are a common occurrence, the North Fork has a virgin beauty to it that at times is unknown on other rivers.For the North Fork, there are multiple configurations of equipment that will work for you on the North Fork. From a 7'6" 3 wt to a 9' 5 wt, there is plenty of room for you to move. We would suggest that a 3 wt be your minimum weight and a 5 wt your maximum. Fish in the river generally range from 12-14", but there are some in there of monstrous proportions. Brown, Rainbow, and Cutthroat, as well as Mountain Whitefish are the game fish that you’ll catch in the river.

The North Fork is a great combination of high mountain pocket waters and large tailwater from the high mountain lakes. Try to match your approach and presentation to this type of fishing. Approach the water as you would if you were approaching a small mountain stream, hitting every single pocket before you move upstream. Your presentation needs to be similar to that of a tailwater. Find out what aquatic life you can match from your fly box. The fish are looking for something familiar, especially in the lower stretches. Standard mayfly, caddis, and stonefly patterns work great. Also terrestrials on the surface seem to encourage a strike. The North Fork of the Duchesne River is a beautiful South Slope river that is slowly becoming a more popular river as people tire of the crowds on their favorite streams that are closer to civilization. Take the time to hit the North Fork before you need to find a new lonely river to call home.

Tucked away in the Wasatch Mountains is American Fork Canyon, a small canyon that hides many fishing holes and other treasures. Just a few miles away from civilization, American Fork River, or Creek depending on who you talk to, makes a person forget how close they are to the city. A classic freestone river, the American Fork River is a great, little river to test your pocket water fishing.American Fork Canyon, and the river, has a surprising history related to the old mining boom that occurred along the Wasatch Front. As the mining operations grew and expanded, the consequences for the river were negative. The river ran by, and through, so many mine tailing sites that it eventually became poisoned and could barely sustain any life, endangering the native Bonneville Cutthroat population that had somehow managed to survive in such harsh environments. In 2004 Trout Unlimited, through collaboration with other groups and organizations, spearheaded the cleanup and restoration of the river. Since that time it has become a beautiful getaway for many along the Wasatch Front.Getting to American Fork Canyon is easy enough, from Salt Lake Valley head South and take the Lehi exit #284, from Utah Valley head North and take the Lehi exit #284. Head east on highway 92 through the city of Alpine, after 9 miles you will reach the Uinta-Wasatch Forest boundary. If you are fishing in the lower reaches of the canyon you will have to purchase a day pass from the kiosk and the entrance of the canyon. From Heber Valley take FR 085 which begins at the mouth of Snake Creek Canyon and leads all the way over the mountain to North American Fork Canyon, highway 144, which will eventually meet with highway 92.

From the mouth of American Fork Canyon the stream tends to follow along the road is quite accessible. The stream forks at North American Fork Canyon, from this point the stream on both forks is only accessible in a few places from the road. A few miles up North American Fork Canyon is Tibble Fork Reservoir, a beautiful mountain reservoir that becomes fairly crowded on a weekend or holiday. Once you get off the pavement on North American Fork Canyon and get on FR 085 you no longer need a day pass to fish or camp.The further up a person goes in the canyon, the more likely they are to travel back in time. Many remnants of the mining culture exist throughout the canyon. Tailing deposits are still hidden behind road guards, foundations of smelters still remain, and rusted mining equipment are just a few of those remnants. To learn more about the canyon stop by the informational placards placed by Trout Unlimited at Dutchman’s Flat.The best way to fish the stream is by wading. There are very few places that will give you enough room along the shore to cast or even get into position to toss a fly. Also, wading in the cool water is mighty comfortable on a hot summer day. We like to use our 7'6" 3 wt rod on this stream. Weight-wise, nothing over a 5 wt should be used. There are some monsters, but they are few and far between and they make you work for them and a 5 wt is plenty of rod for them. Most of the fish that you run into are going to be in the 6-10" range. A rod in the 8-9' range is probably going to be your best bet to get into each pocket but still far enough so the fish won’t become aware of your presence, even though the 7'6" still works great.Anywhere you look you're more than likely to find a hole that has fish. Two big obstacles are going to get in your way though. First, if it's a weekend or holiday, that hole is probably right next to someone's campsite and their kids were just playing in it a few minutes before you came wading up. Second, if you're not careful the fish saw you well before you even unhooked your fly from the hook keeper. American Fork River will test your skills when it comes to sneak and hiding, but if you do that correctly the fish will reward your hard work. You'll more than likely catch a cutthroat or rainbow, but don’t be surprised if you catch a brown or brook trout which have been seen in the river, even though rare.

The fish are greedy and do not have much of a discerning appetite and if there's a run with one in it, they'll more than likely take what you have to offer. Your standard array of flies will more than likely work for this river, anywhere between sizes 14-20 are going to match the wide array of naturals. Terrestrials will also be great in the summer and fall. Don't be surprised if you catch a fish in one riffle and wait a few minutes and catch the same fish again.Be prepared for a beautiful ride through the canyon and be on the lookout for the abundant wildlife that call it home. As well, when the road climbs above the canyon, just take a minute to look over the canyon wall down to the river to admire the grand work of creation, don't worry though, the river meets back up with the road and has many more places to fish.Get away from the city for a little while, hit American Fork River, stop by a few sites of the remnants of the old mining towns that dotted the canyon, and enjoy each pocket of water that you pull a fish from. As always, Good Luck and Guid Luck!!

Deer Creek is a small spring creek that is quickly overlooked in the Wasatch Mountains. It's isolated, small, and you're more than likely going to lose more flies than catch fish. All of these things add up to a stream that the legions avoid and this leads to fish ripe for the taking--that is, if you're willing to work for them.One tributary of Deer Creek is a natural spring that flows down the mountain, meeting up with more and more springs to finally flow as a small creek. The source of this spring has been piped and you should make a journey to the source just to fill up your water bottles. The stream flows, and picks up more water, at Cascade Springs, which fishing in would lead to a citation. Downstream from Cascade Springs are plenty of pull-outs for camping and fishing.To get to Cascade Springs you can either start in Midway, Utah and travel West on Cascade Springs road. The road will lead right to Cascade Springs at which point you can continue on the road over to American Fork Canyon on the Alpine Loop or travel upstream to Little Deer Creek Campground. From Highland, Utah take the Alpine Loop road and take the turn for Cascade Springs. The stream down from Cascade Springs follows pretty close to the road. Unfortunately, the creek can fall rather quickly compared to the road and it might be a hike to get to the water. The entire length of the road travels through the National Forest and is (not) maintained by that governmental agency. Be careful driving down the road, it can get narrow and rough in places, but we have seen sedans down that road but would not recommend it. There are many non--designated camping sites that have been created down the canyon, all of which are beautiful.The landscape through the canyon is a striking example of the greater Utah ecosystem. The hillsides are lined with scrub oak and sagebrush, a harsh environment. However, along the path of the creek is an oasis of lush, green vegetation, willows, wildflowers, and more survive along the bank.

The dense vegetation along the bank can make it difficult for a lot of back casts and the smaller the rod, most of the time, the better. Our standard rod for Deer Creek is a 7'6" 3 wt that handles everything the creek is ready to throw at it. For Deer Creek, a 9' 5 wt is overkill and would be nigh impossible to navigate around the thick vegetation along the creek. Most of the time, on this water, we wish we had a small 6' 3 wt rod.There are fish everywhere along this stream, getting to them before they see you though is the greatest challenge. The water is crystal clear, even during runoff, and as you go to toss a fly out you see fish swimming as fast as possible away from you. Stay low and away from the bank as much as possible and your chances for success will drastically increase. In places the creek will run more than ten feet wide and in others it may be small enough that with a good jump you can cross it without getting wet. Wild browns call the stream home and from the size of the stream be surprised for some relatively big fish, pulling out a 14" brown is not unheard of. It is for that reason we don’t fish the creek with anything smaller than a 3 wt. For a stream that does not get a lot of pressure from fly-fishermen, the fish here can be characterized as snobby. They will take standard patterns readily, but be prepared to watch as they quickly turn off to what you're offering. Standard midge, mayfly, and caddis patterns work well. During the late summer and fall ants, hoppers, and beetles work wonders. The best kept secret: if the fishing dies down for you, take a break with a good book and sit on the bank for ten or fifteen minutes and then get back to it. That short amount of time will more than likely give the fish time to relax again.While fishing, be prepared, and a bit cautious, you never know what you might run into. Moose call Deer Creek home and for being as large as they are, are more than capable of hiding in the willows until you stumble upon them. Mule deer also call the canyon home and will more than likely dot the fields, meadows, and hillsides as you drive to each fishing hole. Deer Creek is a small stream that will make you work hard to find a fishing hole that is more productive at catching fish than losing flies, but once you find that secret spot don't let it out of the bag. As always, Good Luck and Guid Luck